Garden Oaks (Briar, West, Howe: townhomes, neighborhoods, deed)

[jpgiordano]

How is Garden Oaks for families and for a decent commute to downtown? What trypes of homes are in this area? i read that it is an up and coming area, and chesper tahn the Heights.

thanks.

[Mr. Football]

Garden Oaks is a beautiful wooded community. Very serene, very pretty. It's sort of the incubator for young professional families moving their way up to Tanglewood, Briargrove, West U, etc.

[modster]

Garden Oaks has a variety of housing stock. Mostly 40's era homes. The largest are the various new McMansions and the large ramblers facing 43rd. The smallest tend to be in the western sections closer to Ella. The area has gone from stagnant to sought-after in the last 12 - 14 years. They have exceptionally large lots which sometimes invite redevelopment. Many of the sections have open ditches rather than curbs and gutters, lending a sort of rural feel to the area. It is a very yuppie area that seems to have appreciated well. Good close in location.

I don't know about it being cheaper than the Heights though, that used to be true but not so much anymore.

Also check out Shepherd Park Plaza and Candlelight Oaks to the north of Garden Oaks.

[Mom2Feebs]

Garden Oaks is pricey, ranging mostly in the upper 200K to 600K; it used to be a wonderful eclectic group of homes from the 40s and 50s on very large lots. Unfortunately the McMansions are taking over...so get in while you can and save a home!

[Texas Mack]

Agree with the descriptions already listed. The commute times to downtown are wonderful because you don't have to take the freeway to get downtown in less than twenty minutes. However, it is becoming pricey. Other options in the area are Timbergrove and Candlelight Oaks. More MCMs here but they're probably priced 50K to 200K lower than what's in Garden Oaks or the Heights.

[pack0326]

I think Garden Oaks must have deed restrictions, because at least the Mcmansions are 1 to a lot, not subdivied lots with 3 new townhomes crowded onto one lot like in parts of the heights.

[MSJones]

I work in the Garden Oaks area and love it, for the most part. Agree with the posters above - it's a very nice, serene area with lovely homes, but it is being invaded by the "McMansions"! The commute time to downtown is next to nothing (relatively speaking) and there are some great neighborhoods in the area. I have family in Candlelight Oaks that have been there for years and adore it.